Analytical and environmental control of water quality of the Bjelica river

This paper presents the main water quality characteristics of the Bjelica River before and after the discharge of Lučani wastewaters. The objectives of the research included analytical and environmental testing and assessment of the water quality of the Bjelica River before and after the discharge of wastewaters from the Lučani town collector. The results of the physicochemical analysis of major water quality indicators were used. Testing was conducted in July and October 2015, and January, May and July 2016. Assays were performed at the Public Health Institute, Čačak and at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Agronomy, Čačak. The water quality of the river was assessed as moderate ecological status or Class III category of surface waters. The results of the river water quality analysis indicated that the quality of the river water was better before the inflow of effluents from the town collector

Replacing added nitrite by Kitaibelia vitifolia extract in dry fermented Sremska sausage

The effect of replacement of nitrite by the ethanol extract of Kitaibelia vitifolia on the microbiological safety and oxidative stability of dry fermented Sremska sausages (SS) was investigated. Spices and nitrite salt were added to the control group - batch (B I). Modified nitrite-free formulations of SS were produced with the addition of two different amounts of plant extracts (360 mL per 20 kg of fillings in B II and 600 mL per 20 kg of fillings in B III). The larger addition of the herb extract revealed strong antimicrobial activity, when Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations were determined for 8 microbial strains by microdilution method. The results revealed the highest susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity showed the strongest antioxidant activity in non-vacuumed and vacuumed SS samples obtained from B III, enriched with the larger amount of the herb extract.Publishe

Hydroxyapatite/TiO2 Nanomaterial with Defined Microstructural and Good Antimicrobial Properties

Due to the growing number of people infected with the new coronavirus globally, which weakens immunity, there has been an increase in bacterial infections. Hence, knowledge about simple and low-cost synthesis methods of materials with good structural and antimicrobial properties is of great importance. A material obtained through the combination of a nanoscale hydroxyapatite material (with good biocompatibility) and titanium dioxide (with good degradation properties of organic molecules) can absorb and decompose bacteria. In this investigation, three different synthesis routes used to prepare hydroxyapatite/titanium dioxide nanomaterials are examined. The morphology and semiquantitative chemical composition are characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The obtained materials’ phase and structural characterization are determined using the X-ray powder diffraction method (XRD). The crystallite sizes of the obtained materials are in the range of 8 nm to 15 nm. Based on XRD peak positions, the hexagonal hydroxyapatite phases are formed in all samples along with TiO2 anatase and rutile phases. According to SEM and TEM analyses, the morphology of the prepared samples differs depending on the synthesis route. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ti, Ca, P, and O in the obtained materials. The IR spectroscopy verified the vibration bands characteristic for HAp and titanium. The investigated materials show excellent antimicrobial and photocatalytic properties

Antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of selected plant species of the boraginaceae family

Antioxidant activity is one of the most important properties of plant extracts. Antioxidants from natural sources have been intensively studied in the last few decades. The antioxidant contents of medicinal plants may contribute to the protection of diseases. Bioactive components of plants have a potential role in chemoprevention and inhibition of different phases of the malignant transformation process. Therefore, plant extracts and essential oils are in the focus of research, and in recent decades have been tested on a large number of malignant cell lines. The aim of this study was to examine antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of selected plant species from the Boraginaceae family. Determination of antioxidant activity was performed by ammonium-thiocyanate method. Testing citotoxic activity was performed by MTT test on cancer cell lines: HEP 2c (human larynx carcinoma), RD (human cell line-rhabdomyosarcoma) and L2OB (mouse tumor fibroblast line). The best antioxidant activity showed ethanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of Anchusa officinalis, Echium vulgare and Echium italicum. The tested extracts showed an inhibitory effect on cancer cells, but chloroform and acetone extracts of all three plant had the most effective effect on L2OB cells. Isolation of individual active components from this plants and their testing for cancer cells would be of great importance for this field of research

Replacing added nitrite by Kitaibelia vitifolia extract in dry fermented Sremska sausage

The effect of replacement of nitrite by the ethanol extract of Kitaibelia vitifolia on the microbiological safety and oxidative stability of dry fermented Sremska sausages (SS) was investigated. Spices and nitrite salt were added to the control group - batch (B I). Modified nitrite-free formulations of SS were produced with the addition of two different amounts of plant extracts (360 mL per 20 kg of fillings in B II and 600 mL per 20 kg of fillings in B III). The larger addition of the herb extract revealed strong antimicrobial activity, when Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations were determined for 8 microbial strains by microdilution method. The results revealed the highest susceptibility of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity showed the strongest antioxidant activity in non-vacuumed and vacuumed SS samples obtained from B III, enriched with the larger amount of the herb extract

Phytochemical and antimicrobial profile of black currant berries and leaves

The purpose of study was to identify polyphenolic compounds and antimicrobial properties in berries and leaves of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.). Black currant berries and leaves showed different characteristics. Berries had a higher levels of the studied parameters compared to leaves. Berry extracts contained 2.90 to 5.90 times more total phenolics, flavonoids, condensed tannins and gallotannins compared to leaf extracts, and total antioxidant activity was 5.82 times higher in berries than in leaves. The main flavonol found in our sample of black currant berries and leaves was quercetin, followed by myricetin, while kaempferol was present in very small amounts. The most abundant phenolic acid in berry extract was caffeic acid, while leaf extract was dominated by ferulic acid. Microbial properties of extracts were examined using eight selected indicator strains. The tested extracts showed strong antimicrobial activity, ranging from 55.82 to 199.21 mg mL-1. The results suggest that berries and leaves of black currant are a good source of polyphenolic compounds and have strong antimicrobial activity.Publishe

EXAMINATION OF THE CERTAIN CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF BOILED SAUSAGES PRODUCED IN SERBIA

The objectives of our study were to examine certain chemical quality parameters in samples of various subgroups of boiled sausages and compare obtained values with reference values (Rule book on the quality of minced meat, semi-finished meat and meat products, Official Gazette of RS, no. 31/2012). We used two reference chemical methods: determination of nitrogen and phosphorus content (SRPS ISO 937:1992, SRPS ISO 13730:1999). For determination of hydroxyproline we used M 050 “in house” modified method. We concluded that the total number of tested samples of Fine grounded boiled sausages (n=170), 47 (27.65%) does not match the requirements for the quality provided the above mentioned Rule book, of which 21 samples because lower total protein content (TP) and 33 samples because higher relative protein content of connective tissue (RPC). The most common chemical quality failure of examined Coarsely grounded boiled sausages (n=94) is a higher percent of RPC than allowed (18 - 25 %). We consider in samples of same subgroup lower content of TP in 8 samples (11.11 %). From a total of 8 samples tested Boiled sausages with meat peaces (Šunkarica), all tested samples revealed lower content of TP than allowed (100 %) and 2 samples (25 %) higher relative protein content of connective tissue (RPC). The most common deficiency that reduces the chemical quality of the boiled sausages is higher level of RPC, demonstrated in 53 (19.48 %) of the total (n=272) samples tested. Something minor drawback is the lower percent of TP determined in 37 samples (13.60 %). Total P2O5 content was compatibile with the values permitted by the Rule book in all of 272 examined samples, indicating a strict adherence to regulations when using phosphate as one of the technologically most important additives in the production of boiled sausages

Prevalence of BVD infection in ruminants in Serbia

The aim of this article is to provide a historical summary of worldwide Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) prevalence data through a number of studies, review the current knowledge and published data on the presence and prevalence of BVDV infection among ruminants in Serbia, and consequently open questions as to the possibilities for the implementation of the control programme in Serbia

Bioactive compounds of sweet and sour cherry stems obtained by subcritical water extraction

BACKGROUND Sweet cherries (Prunus avium L.) and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) contain substantial amounts of anthocyanins and polyphenolics, and their stems have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. However, comparative data on the composition of sweet and sour cherry stems using the same analytical methodologies are limited. Moreover, there is no data in terms of biological activity of subcritical water extracts of cherry stems. RESULTS AND DISSCUSION Results obtained by using several assays that focused on different mechanisms showed that subcritical water extracts of sour and sweet cherry stems were powerful antiradicals and antioxidants. Anti‐proliferative properties measured by MTT (3‐[4,5‐ dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) test showed prominent cytotoxicity against different tumor cell lines. Inhibitory concentrations obtained were in the range 8.38–11.40 µg mL‐1. GC–MS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) analysis showed the presence of alcohols, fatty acids, organic acids and other organic compounds. However, the chemical compositions of the two samples observed were similar, indicating similar chemical composition of sour and sweet cherry stems. CONCLUSION Subcritical water extracts of cherry stem demonstrated excellent biological activity and the potential to be used for pharmaceuticals or supplements due to confirmed high antioxidant, antiradical and antitumor activity.The authors are grateful to the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (TR 31014 and bilateral project with Portugal), and Portuguese Ministry of Science (FCT/Servia 2015/2016 proc. 441.00 SERVIA). Financial support from the ‘Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad’ (Spanish Government) through the grant CTQ2016-77155-R is also gratefully acknowledged. R. Suárez thanks the Conselleria d’Educació, Cultura I Universitats from the Government of the Balearic Islands for a PhD stipend co-financed by Fondo Social Europeo (FPI/1444/2012). S. Clavijo acknowledges to Torres Quevedo Program of MINECO co-financed by European Funds, for the financial support through the PTQ 15-08038. A. Carvalho acknowledges program Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The influence of the extraction temperature on polyphenolic profiles and bioactivity of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) subcritical water extracts

The main goal of this research was to determine the relationship among chemical structure, bioactivity and temperature of chamomile during subcritical water extraction in isobaric conditions (45 bar) at seven different temperatures (65-210 °C). The influence of temperature on phenolic profiles was defined by UHPLC-HESI-MS/MS. The overall results indicate that the presence of conjugated double bonds, side chains, glucose moiety or ether moiety in molecules influence the efficiency of polyphenols' extraction in subcritical water. In terms of antioxidant activity, the extracts were the most active towards ABTS radicals (IC50 = 7.3-16.8 µg/mL), whereby temperature of 150 °C was optimal. On the other hand, the extracts obtained at 115 °C showed highest cytotoxicity. Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase was the highest at 65 and 85 °C, i.e. 0.51 and 4.13 mmolAE/g, respectively. Activity against tyrosinase was the highest at 210 °C (17.92 mgKAE/g). The data showed that different non-phenolic compounds may also participate in bio-activities of the extracts.The present work was carried out within the projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Serbia, (Projects No. TR31013 and 172017). The authors are grateful to Dr Dušan Adamović, Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Bački Petrovac, Serbia, for his support in supplying plant material.REQUIMTE received financial support from Programme PT2020 (NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000069 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011-RL1-QUALIFOOD) and from FCT (UID/QUI/50006/2013- POCI/01/0145/FEDER/007265). M. Fátima Barroso would like to thank also to FCT for the post-doc fellowship (SFRH/BPD/78845/2011).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio